396.1 GE/7–1854: Telegram
The United States Delegation to the Department of State
Secto 647. Repeated information Paris 89, Saigon 58. Following French-UK-Soviet working group meeting yesterday, French del circulated new draft of proposed conference declaration showing in brackets following points on which French-UK and Soviet positions still differ. References are to numbered paragraphs of previous French draft transmitted in Secto 628 repeated Paris 74, Saigon 46.1
- Second paragraph. Soviets want paragraph to refer to Vietnam as well as to Laos and Cambodia.
- Third paragraph. French and British want to refer explicitly to regular elections called for by constitutions of Laos and Cambodia in August and September 1955 respectively. Soviets want elections in these two countries “within one year after the signature of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities”.
- Fourth paragraph. Soviets want to substitute following for
French draft:
“The conference takes note of the understanding reached between the parties upon the fact that the introduction of new troops, military personnel, and all arms and munitions into Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia will be prohibited and upon the fact that the importation of arms into Laos and Cambodia will be limited to the defined needs of the defense of these countries.
“The conference takes note of the agreement reached by the parties, that after the cessation of hostilities, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia must not enter any military alliances whatsoever, and that the establishment of foreign bases on the territories of the said states must not be permitted.”
- Fifth paragraph. Soviets want to delete following from first sentence: “But does not prejudge the solution of other problems related to the definitive restoration of peace in Vietnam.”
- Sixth paragraph. Soviets want elections in Vietnam not later than June 1955. French and British do not want conference to set deadline.
- Eighth paragraph. Soviets want “parties” to negotiate time for withdrawal foreign troops and military personnel. French and British stand on French draft.
- Ninth paragraph. Bracketed passage omitted, apparently by mutual agreement.
- Tenth paragraph. French and British want members of conference to study “collective or individual” measures. Soviets want “collective” only.
In addition to above points of difference, French and British have not agreed to Soviet effort to include tenth paragraph Soviet draft declaration (Secto 615 repeated Paris 65 [63], Saigon 352).